Shock strut



July 25, 1950 F. E. BACHMAN y Z4 @f7-1 MMU SHOCK STRUT Filed May 26, 1944 Patented `uly 25, 1950 SHOCK STRUT Fred E. Bachman, Chicago, Ill., assignor to American. Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of NeW'Jerseyl Application May 26, 1944, Si'erial No. 537,479

Claims.

My invention relates to shock absorbers and more particularly to an hydraulic device com.- monly termed an oleo strut and utilized in the connection between the fuselage and landing.

gear of. an aircraft. n

The primary object of my invention is to design a novel oleo strut of the type in which a hol-A low piston reciprocates within a cylinder carrying a metering pin which in turn reciprocatesv within a passage through the piston head communicating with an internal. chamber there- Within, the metering pin being of tapered crosssectional area to denne-with said passage an ori.-y

iceof gradually decreasing cross-sectional area through which hydraulic fluid-within the device is metered on the closure stroke thereof.

In my novel strut, inertia by-pass valve means is provided for accommodating now of. hydraulic medium from the high pressure cylinder chamber to the low pressure piston. chamber independently of the orifice dened by the. metering pin andthe piston head passage, whereby the hydraulic medium within the device may by-pass said orifice.

under conditions wherein the strut is urged suddenly upward as the aircraft to which itis attached passes over anirregularity inthe terrain or water. I Another object of my invention is to design novel strut such as above described inv whichv Figure 2 is a sectional View comparable to Fig-` ure 1, but illustrating the strut at the end. of. its closure stroke.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a modiication oi my invention whereinv the 'inertia by-pass valve means isin the open 139-. sition thereof.

Describing my invention in detail and referring iirst to the embodiment thereof illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the strut comprises a bottom follower in the form of a cylinder 2. comprising a high pressure chamber 4 and a closure member 6 at the lower extremity thereof. comprising a bracket 8 for convenient yconnection to the landing gear (not shown) of an associated aircraft, said member E also including the upstanding hol- 2. low boss IU which is internally-l threaded for con-- venient connection to the threaded endl l2. of the metering pin generally designated I4.

it may be noted that the metering pin is tapered in` cross-sectional area from the lower eX- tremity thereof; however, it will, be understood by those skilled in. the art that if desired, the pin may be of uniform cross-sectional` area through.- outfits length.

The strut also comprises a top follower in the formV of ahollow piston. Iii` including an internal low pressure. chamber i8 closed at its upper extremity by the closure member 28 which is pro--v vided witha bracket 2.2 for convenient connection tov the fuselage (not shown) of the associated. aircraft. The closure member '20is. provided with.V ay tting 24 by means. of which compressed. air may be admitted to theupper extremity ofthe low pressure chamber I8. to. afford an air spring operable toresist theclosure stroke of the devicev and to return the piston to its normal extended position at the end of said closure stroke, as will be clearly understood. by those lskill-'ed in the art.

The lower extremity of the piston. IB is formed with a piston head generally designated 26' and hereinafter described. in detail. The piston head includes a. collar 218 welded .to the lower end ofthe piston 16. and having. a threaded connection at 3|]y to a hollow sleeve.. 3.2 formingl anextensiononthe lower end of the head. rIlhe sleeve 32 bears against the lower end of av collar 34 which. has shouldered. engagement at. Bwith the collar 2.8 and slidable engagementat 38 with the cylin-` der 2.

The. sleeve 32 comprises an annular valve chamber 40 within. which isslidably fitted an annular inertiaK valve member 42 with an annular groove or recess 44 inits inner perimeter dei-lning with the sleeve 32 an annular chamber 46 communicating with thev low .pressure chamber I8 through one or more ports 48, 48 in the sleeve 32. The lower end of the valve chamber 4I] isv closed by. an annular cap in threaded engagementY at 52 with. the. sleeve 32, said cap having a central restricted passage 54 defining with the. meteringpin I4 anorilice through which hydraulic iluid is mattered from the high pressure chamber 4 to the low pressure chamber I8 on the closure stroke of the strut. It will be understood that as the piston i6 moves downwardly on its closurev stroke, the orice dened by the passage 54 and the pin I4 gradually decreases in crosssectional. area because of the tapered form ofthe metering pin I 4', thusgradually increasing the resistance of the strutto the closure stroke thereof..

The valve member 42 is resiliently urged to its closed position, as seen in Figure 1, by a spring 56 which is formed and arranged to yield at a pren determined pressure in response to sudden upward movement of the strut as the landing gear (not shown) attached to the bracket 8 passes over an irregularity in the terrain. The cap 50 and the sleeve 32 have aligned openings defining one or more ports 58, 58 which communicate with the annular chamber 46 in the open position of the valve member to permit hydraulic iluid within the device to by-pass the passage 54 and to flow from the high pressure chamber 4 to the low pressure chamber I3 through the annular chamber 46, thus facilitating closure of the strut under conditions wherein an unusual impact causes the strut to move suddenly upward, as above described, the inertia of the valve member 42, under these conditions, causing it to assume its open position with the annular chamber 46 in communication with the ports 58, 58.

It may be notedthat in the closed position of the valve 42 high pressure fluid within the high pressure chamber 4 acts on the valve 42 through the ports 58 along balanced surfaces of the valve 42v extending approximately axially of the strut, asbest seen in Figures 1 and 2, and in the open position of valve 42 with the ports 58 connected to the chamber 46 high pressure iluid admitted from the high pressure chamber 4 to the annular chamber 46 also acts against balanced surfaces of the valve 42, whereby high pressure iluid in the chamber 4 is at all times balanced against the valve 42 so that its movement to open and closed position is entirely unaffected by the fluid in the chamber 4. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this feature is extremely important inasmuch as high pressure in the chamber 4 acting against unbalanced areas of,V the valve 42 would prevent proper functioning thereof.

The cap 50 is provided with a plurality of portsv or'passages 60, 60 aiording .communication be` tween the high pressure chamber 4 and the Aannular chamber 40 within the sleeve 32, saidrports 60, 60 being closed on the compression or closure stroke of the device by means of a dapper valve mechanism kincluding an annular flapper plate 62 resiliently urged to its closed position by springs 64, 64 mounted on stud bolts 66, 66 earried by the cap 50. The valve member 42 is provided with one or more vertical passages 68, |38l therethrough communicating with an annular groove 'l0 in the upper extremity thereof, said groove T being adapted to register with one or more ports or passages 12, 12 through the sleeve 32 adjacent its upper extremity, said ports 12, I2 communicating with the low pressure chamber I8 within the piston.

. It will be understood that on the closure stroke of the device, the springs 64, 64, in combination with the relatively high hydraulic pressure Within the chamber 4, urges the plate 62 to its closed position over the ports 60, 60 (Figure l), there-`V the 'lapper plate 64 to move to its open position against the resistance of the springs 64, 64, as seen in Figure l, whereupon the hydraulic medium is enabled to by-pass the passage 54 by flowing through the ports 12, 12 and the passages 68, 68, as Well as the ports 60, 60, into the high pressure chamber 4. By means of this arrangement, rapid release or extension of the strut is facilitated, as is desirable under service conditions.

The cylinder 2 is provided at its upper extremity with a collar 74 within which is received a conventional packing gland 'I5 and a, bearing T3 of brass or other suitable material, said bearing and gland being maintained in assembled relationship by means of a nut 80 in threaded engagement at B2 with the collar '14.

A sleeve 84 is snugly fitted Within the cylinder 2 in shouldered engagement at 86 therewith, said sleeve being maintained in assembled relation- Ship by means of a ring 8B positioned between the packing gland T6 and the upper extremity of the sleeve 84. It may be noted, as seen in Figure 2, that the piston |6 and the cylinder 2 are spaced from each other to define an annular dashpot chamber within which hydraulic iluid is entrapped on theextension stroke of the device, thus dampening said stroke. The entrapped fluid is gradually forced from the annular chamber 90 through one or more grooves 92, 92 by the sleeve 84 as the piston I6 moves upwardly relative to the cylinder 2 on the extension stroke of the device. This, in effect, causes a metering of the fluid within the chamber 90 through the grooves 92, 92 which softens or dampens the release stroke of the strut for the purpose of preventing damage to the various parts thereof which Inight result from a too rapid extensionl 0f the device. 40'

|02 comprises a collar |08 secured as by weldingl at ||0 to the lower end of the piston ||2 and having threaded engagement at H4 with a. sleeve ||E. The sleeve ||6 is in shouldered engagement at ||8 with a collar |20 which slidably engages the cylinder as at |22 to aord a substantially fluid-tight fit therewith.

An annular valve member |24 is slidably fitted over the sleeve IIS in slidable engagement with the radially inner wall thereof as at |26 and in slidable engagement at |28 with a radially outer Wall dened by an annular cap |30 threaded at |32 within the sleeve 6, said cap comprising a passage |34 within which the metering pin |05 reciprocates to define an orifice therewith. A spring |36 is seated against the cap and against the valve member |24 for urgingthe latter into its closed position over the ports |36, |38 through the sleeve l i6 adjacent the upper extremity thereof. The sleeve is also provided with ports |40, |40 communicating with an annular chamber |42 deiined by the sleeve, the valve member |24 and the cap |30; and the cap and valve meinn ber are formed respectively with ports |44 and |46 which are adapted to register with each other in the open position of the valve member |24, as illustrated in Figure 3.

It will be understood that when the valve member |24 is in its open position as the result of sudden upward movement ofilthe strut under com dtions heretofore described -for thel-previous em* bodiment, hydraulic uid within the 'high pressure chamber M8 -of the Ycylinder is-permiittedto by-'pass the passage E34 through the annular chamber lll?. and also through the ports- !38, 13.8; thus facilitating the closure stroke or the strut under these conditions.

It will also` be appare-nt that on `the extension stroke of the strut, wherein l'the pressure within the low press-ure piston chamber i150 is greater than that within the high press-ure chamber Mil, the `hydraulic medium within the strut 4.acting through the ports 33, 138 is-operabie=toru1ge the valve member l2@ to its open position, there-l -by permitting the hydraulic medium to 'by-epass.

the passage 43.4 .through the ports 113B, lidland through the annular chamber 42. Thus, it will-l be understood that in the modification of fligure 3, the valve member .24 serv-es a doubl'e function in acting notonly as an inertia valve `during suda den .upward movement of the strut, but also in. acting as bv-pass valve `on the release or extension stroke of the strut.

As in .the .previously described embodiment of the invention, the pressure areas .at the topa-1rd bottom Aof valve 1.215 and. on `the inner perimeter thereof, are equalized .so that opening and clo...m ing .of the valve member as above :descrbedvare entirely unaffected by the pressures in the, pressure chamber.

It is to be understood that I ydo not wish .to be llimited by the exact .embodimentsof the ide-- Vice ,shown which .are inerelyby way .of illustration and not limitation .as variousand .other :forms of the device will, .of course, be apparent tothose. skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the .scope .of the claims.

I claim:

1. In an oleo strut, a bottom follower Ain the form .of a cylinder vwith a high-pressure chamber and a metering pin mounted therein, .a top Yfollower in the form of a hollow .piston .comprising an internal low pressure .chamber and a head .re-k ciprocal within said cylinder, said head comprising a sleeve member with an annular valve. cham.- ber, a central restricted passage :through said member within which said pin :reciprocates to deune an oriiice therewith affording commlmication' between said chambers, ports .communicating with said high pressure chamber and .the .lower eX- tremitv of said valve chamber, an. annular valve member slidingly iitted within said valve chamber, a recess in the inner perimeter or said valvemember defining with said sleeve an annular chamber communicating at all times with low pressure chamber through. a port said. sleeve member .above .said oriiice, .a .port through said sleeve member below said orifice, saidva'lve member being adapted in its .open position toI register with. said last-mentioned port, resilient means carried by saidsleeve member .and abutting a downwardly racing surface on said valve meinber for .urging the latter toward its closed position, said spring means being formed and .arranged to yield due to the inertia .of said valve member during sudden upward movement `of said strut,

thereby accommodating movement of .said valve member relative to `said sleeve to said lopen position, a passage through. said sleeve member adiaceht its upper extremity :adapted 'to register with a substantially vertical passage 'through saidvalve member, a dapper plate carried bythe lower.r end of 4said sleeve member, resilientineansior urging said dapper plate toward its, closed position: over.

said rstmentioned ports, and .a spr-ing. inV fthc form .of .a body 4of compressed gas within the upper lextremitv .of said low pressure chamber. said spring being .operable to yieldinglyresist'the closure stroke fof the strut.

2. In .an oleo strut, a bottom follower in the' form .cfa cylinder with a high pressure chamber' and' a! metering pin mounted therein, a top v:follower in the Eform of .ahollow piston comprising anrintern-alxlow pressure .chamber and a head slida-b'ly rittedinsaid cylinder for reciprocation'therewithin, said head comprising a sleeve member with .an .annular valve chamber, a central restricted Ipassage through said member Within wih-ichfisaid pin reciprocates to define an vorifice therewith affording communication between said chambers, ports communicating with -said high pressure .chamber and the lower extremity ofsaid valve chamber, an annular valve member slid ably fitted within said. valve chamber, a :recess inthe inner perimeter of said valve member delining with said. sleeve annular .chamber .com-

municating at all times with` said low pressure'.-

c-hamber through a port in said :sleeve member above .saidlorica a. port through said sleeve member 'below `said oriiice, said valve vmember being adapted in its open position to register with said last-mentioned port, spring'means forurging-saidv valve vmember toward lits closed position, said 'Y spring means being formed yand arranged to. yield due to the inertia ofxsaid valve `member during' sudden .upward movement of said strut, thereby accommodating :movement of said valve member relative to. ,said sleeve to said :open positioiuapassage through saidslee've member :adjacentits upper extremity adapted to register with' .a substantially vertical passage through said valve member, `a dapper .plate carried by the lower end of .said sleeve member., .and resilient means. for

' urging said dapper plate toward its closed-:position over said first-mentioned ports.

3i. 'In an hydraulic. shock absorber device,;.a bottom follower in the form of a cylinder Witha high pressure chamber therein, a metering pin. carried by .said `follower within .said chamber, a top `iollower in the .form of a hollow piston haviing yan internal low pressure chamber anda-piston head reciprocal within said cylinder, an exten-- Sion depending from said head, said extension comprising a passage therethrough with .a restricted portion adapted to accommodate .fluid communication between said chambers, said being reciprocal within. said restricted portion of said passage and defining therewith a metering orifice, an .annular valve member slida-bly itted over said extension and deliningvtherewith an annular chamber `cornmunicating with said low pressure chamber thro-ugh an opening said ex` tension disposed above said restricted portion, said annular chamber being adapted vto register with an opening in saidextension below said rei stric-ted por-tion only when said .valve member :is in its open position, spring means carriedby said extension and bearing against a downwardly facing'surfaoe on `said valve member for .urging` the latter towardits closed position, said vspring means being formed and arranged to yield and thereby permitsaid valve member to assume itsopen posi-- tion, as said device is. subjected tcsafsudden upward movement-of predeterminedmagnitude,.and resilient means characterized by a compressed gas spring inthe upper extremity ofsaid low pres--4 sure chamber, said gas spring. being operable. .to yieldingly resist the closure strolreoig the device.` .11n an hy raulic. vshock absorber devoa.y ,a5

bottom follower in the form of a cylinder carrying a metering pin tapering toward its upper extremity, a top follower in the form of a hollow pistonhaving a head slidably reciprocal within said cylinder, a passage through said head affording duid communciation between said cylinder and .the interior or said piston, said pin being reciprocal within said passage and defining therewith an orifice through which fluid medium within said device is metered on the closure stroke thereof, vinertia by-pass valve means for accommodating fiow of said medium from said cylinder into the interior of said piston and independently of'said orifice during a sudden upward movement ofsaid device, and an air spring within said piston compressible by the iluid within said device for yieldingly resisting the closure stroke thereof, said valve means comprising an annular valve member slidably sleeved over a downwardly projecting extension of said head and defining with said extension an annular chamber, a port through said extension above said passage and connecting said chamber at all times to the interior of said piston, and a port through said extension below said passage and formed and arranged to open said chamber to communication with said cylinder when said valve member is in its open position, and spring means carried by said extension and reacting against a downwardly facing surface ron said member for urging it upwardly toward its closed position,

vi. In an oleo strut, top and bottom followers, one of said followers being in the form of a cylinder comprising a high pressure chamber, a metering pin carried by said cylinder within said chamber, the other of said followers being in the form of -a piston with a head reciprocal within said cylinder, a passage through said head afiording uid communication between said chamber and a low pressure chamber within said piston, said pin being reciprocal within said passage and defining therewith a metering orice, and inertia by-pass valve means independent of said orifice for accommodating flow of iluid from said 'high pressure chamber to said low pressure chamber during a sudden upward movement of saidl strut, said by-pass valve means comprising an annular valve member slidably sleeved over a portion of said head and defining with said portion an annular chamber, passage means through an opening in said extension disposed ber, spring means for urging said valve member above said restricted portion, said annular chamber being adapted to register with an opening in said extension below said restricted portion in the open position only of said valve memto its closed position, said spring means being formed and arranged to yield and thereby permit said valve member to assume its open position as said device is subjected to sudden upward movement, and an air spring in the upper extremity of said low pressure chamber copressible by the hydraulic duid medium within said device on the closure stroke thereof.

7. In an hydraulic shock absorber device, a

' bottom follower in the form of a cylinder with munication with said annular chamber only when said valve member is in its open position, and yielding means for urging said valve member toward its closed position, said yielding means being formed and arranged to permit said head to move upwardly relative to said valve member because of the inertia of the latter during a sudden upward movement of said strut, whereby said valve member assumes its open position.

6. In an hydraulic shock absorber device, a bottom'iollower in the form of a cylinder with a high pressure chamber, a metering pin carried by said follower within said chamber, said pin taperingA toward its upper extremity, a top follower in the form of a hollow piston having an internal low pressure chamber and a piston head slidably iitted within said cylinder for reciprocation therewithin, an extension on said head comprising a passage therethrough with a restricted portion affording fluid communication between said chambers. said pin being reciprocal a high pressure chamber therein, a metering pin carried by said follower within said chamber, a top follower in the form of a hollow piston having an internal low pressure chamber and a piston head reciprocal Within said cylinder, an extension depending from said head, said extension comprising a passage therethrough with a restricted portion adapted to accommodate iluid communication between said chambers, said pin being reciprocal within said restricted portion of said passage and defining therewith a metering oriiice, an annular valve member slidably fitted over said extension and deiining therewith an annular chamber communicating with said low pressure chamber through an opening in said extension disposed above said restricted portion, said annular chamber being adapted to register with an opening in said extension below said restricted portion only when said valve member is in its open position, and spring means carried by said extension and bearing against a downwardly facing surface on said valve member for urging the latter toward its closed position, said spring means being formed and arranged to yield and thereby permit said valve member to assume its open position, as said device is subjected to a sudden upward movement of predetermined magnitude.

8. In an hydraulic shock absorber device, a bottom follower in the form of a cylinder with a high pressure chamber, a metering pin carried by said follower within said chamber, said pin tapering toward its upper extremity, a top follower in the form of a hollow piston having an internal low pressure chamber and a piston head slidably iitted within said cylinder for reciprocation therewithin, an extension on said head comprising a passage therethrough with a restricted portion affording fluid communication between said chambers, said pin being reciprocal within said restricted portion and dening therewith an' oriiice, an annular valve member slidably sleeved over said extension and defining therewith an annular chamber communicating at all times with said low pressure chamber through yan opening in said extension disposed above said restrictedv portion, said annular chamber being adapted to register with an opening in said extension below said restricted portion in the open position only of said valve member, and spring means for urging said valve member to its closed position, said spring means being formed and arranged to yield and thereby accommodate relative movement of said valve.

member to its open position as said device pis subjected to sudden upward movement.

9. In an hydraulic shock absorber device; a bottom follower' in the form. of a cylinder carrying a, metering pin, a top follower in the formof a hollow piston having a head slidablyrecipro'- cal within said cylinder, a passage through said head affording fluid communication between said cylinder and the interior of said piston, said pin being reciprocal within said passagev and defining therewith an orifice through whichnluidl medium within said device is metered on the closure stroke thereof, and inertia by-pass valve `means for accommodating liow of said medium :from

said cylinder into the interior or said piston and independently of said orice during a sudden upward movement of saidv device, said valve means comprising an annular valve member 'sli'dably sleeved over a portion of saidhead and defining therewith an annular chamber, al port above said ori-lice connecting said chamber at all times to the interior of said piston, and: a port through said portion beneath said oriiic'e adapted to open saidv chamber to communication with said cylinder when said valve member isv in its open position, and springmeans carried by said portion and reacting against a downwardly iacing'suriface' on'saidi member for urging it upwardn ly toward its closed position.

l0. In an oleo strut, a bottom follower in the e forni ci a cylinder with a high pressure chamber and a metering pin mounted therein, a top follower inftlie form of afhollow piston oomprisingan intern-al low pressure chamber and a piston head siidably tted in said cylinder for reciprocation therewithin, said head comprising astructurefdepending therefrom and including radially inner and outer walls and a central passage within which said metering ypin reci-procates, a valve member slidably iitted on said` inner and' Outer wallfs and defini-ng therewith an annular chamber, aport through said inner wall communicating at all?. times with. said annular chamber' and with said lowpressure chamber', a port through said outerwall closed by said- Valve member in the closed position thereof, a port through said valve member communicating at all times with said high pressure chamber and adapted to communicate with` said annular chamber in the open position only; of said'valve member, springmeans for urging said valve member upwardly toward its closed position, said spring means being formed and arranged to yield under the inertia loadr of said valve member to permit the same to assume its open position during a sudden upward movement-.ofsaid strut, and at least one port through said head accommodating hydraulic pressure against the upper end of said valve member for urging the latter to its open position whenever the pressure within said low pressure chamber exceeds that within saidv high pressure chamber. ll. In a oleo strut, a bottoni follower in the form of a cylinder with a high pressure chamber and a metering pin mounted therein, a top foll'ower in the form of a hollow pistoncomprising an internal low pressure chamber anda piston head sl'idably iitted in said cylinder for reciprocation therewithin, said head comprising a structure depending therefrom and including radiallyinner and outer walls' and a-central passage within whichsaid metering pin reciprocates, a valve member slidably itted on said inner and outer walls and deiining therewith an annular chamber, a port` through saidy inner wall' commu.- nicating `ati all times with saidannularv chamber' '10 and withy said low pressure chamber, a port through-said outer wallclosed by said valve mem-,- ber'infthe closed position thereof, a .port through said valve menfrber communicating at all times witlifsaid highrpressurechamber and adapted to communicate said second-mentioned port 'in :the dpenfposition onl-yioi. saA val-ve member, and spring means for urging said'valv-c member upwardly toward its closed position, said spring means Y'being formed -Iand arrangedy to yield under the inertia load4 of said -valve member during a sudden'upward movement oi said strut.

'1.2.1151 a shoclestrut, a 'bottomsfollower in the forni-of a vcylinder withy a `Vhigh.pressure vchamber therein, a Itop v'follower in the 'form` of a hollow pistonwith aninte'rnal low :pressure chamber, a head' on :pistonreciprocal within said high pressure .chamber andcomprising a central passage `affording .communication between said chambers, .a metering pin `mounted within said ycylinder and. Yadapted for reciprocation within saidspassage to-fderieia restricted oriii'ce therewith, 4passage meansthroughzsaid head adapted .to aitordz communication between said chambers independently of said .orice, and inertia valve means including a valve memberadapted in `the closed posi-tion thereof to close said passage means along surface oi .tl'le'headv extending ape proxiniatelyaxially -of the strut, the surfaces of said valve member exposed: to the fluid in said passage inieansibeing balanced at all times, said valvevmernber being adapted in the open position thereofV toppen saidj passage means, and springmeansior urging said-` valve member tothe closed position .thereoifsaid spring. 'means being adapted to yield and thereby `perm-it said valve member to: assume its open positionzas said strut is subjected tow-a sudden upward movement' of predetermined;magnitude. 1

13. In an hydraulic shock absorber device,` a cylinde-r, aA metering. pin=.carried therewthin, a hollowpiston compri-sing a head reciprocal within said cylinder, pin bein-greciprocal with-inca restricted-passage through said head, and defining'anforice "with` said passage, a valve member sl-idably engaged with-a portion of said head and carried-thereby, said .valve member defining with saidfportion an annular chamber communicating at; all times vwith the .interior oi said piston through a portfin saidportioninwardly oitheorifree,V said valve member being adapted in itsv open position` to afford. communication :between saidv annular chamber andI said. cylinder through ano-ther port i-nrsaid` portion, `disposed outwardly of: said passage, and` spring means carried by the piston for u-rgingfsaid val-ve member toi-tsclosed position, said spring-means `being formed and arrangedto yieldidue-tothe inertiafoi said valve member during a suddenmovementoi the device axially thereof` and-oir a .predetermined magnitude, whereby `the val-vemember may moveto openv positionagainst the resistance ofsaid spring means.

lili. In an hydraulic shock absorber devicea cylinder,. a hollow piston comprising a head' reciprocal -within said cylinder, saidhead having a restricted metering-passage connecting the cylinder to the interior/of thepiston, a valve member slidably engaged with a 'portionof the head and carried thereby, said valve member defining' with tionlto aitord' :Fluid-communication between lsaid annular chamber and said cylinder'through another port in said portion disposed outwardly of said passage, and spring-means for urging said valve member to its closed position, said spring means being carried by the piston and being formed and arranged to yield due to the inertia of said valve member during a sudden movement of the device axially thereof and of a predetermined magnitude.

15. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a cylinder adapted to contain hydraulic fluid, a hollow piston containing an internal low pressure chamber, said piston having a head member reciprocal in the cylinder and dening therewith a high pressure chamber in the cylinder, an opening through said head member connecting said chambers, a metering pin carried by the cylinder and extendable through said opening to defining a .metering orifice therein, a valve member carried by said member and defining therewith a bypass chamber communicating at all times through a port in one member with the low pressure chamber at a point inwardly of the orifice, said valve member being adapted in open position to afford fluid communication between the by-pass chamber and the high pressure chamber through another port in said one member outwardly of the orifice and being adapted in closed position to prevent now of fluid through the last mentioned port, and spring means carried by the piston for urging the valve member to its closed position, said spring means being formed and arranged to yield due to the inertia of said valve member during a sudden movement of the shock absorber axially of the cylinder thereof and of a predetermined magnitude.

16. In an hydraulic shock absorber device, a cylinder, a metering pin carried therewithin, a hollow piston comprising a head reciprocal within said cylinder, said pin being reciprocal within a restricted passage through said head and defining an orifice with said passage, a valve member slidably iitted over a portion of said head and deiining with said portion an annular chamber communicating at all times with the interior of said piston through a port in said portion inwardly of said orice, said valve member being adapted in its open position to afford iiuid communication between said annular chamber and said cylinder through another port in said portion disposed outwardly of said passage, and spring means for urging said valve member to its closed position, said spring means being formed and arranged to yield due to the inertia of said valve member during a sudden movement of the device axially thereof and of a predetermined magnitude.

17. In a shock strut, a pair of telescoping followers dening axially spaced high and low pressure chambers in respective followers, a metering orifice through one of the followers interconnecting said chambers, passage means through said one follower adapted to aiford communication between said chambers independently of said oriflee, inertia valve means carried by said one follower including a valve member adapted in the closed position thereof to close said passage means, said valve member being adapted in the open position thereof to open said passage means, and spring means for urging said valve member to the closed position thereof, said spring means being adapted to yield and thereby permit said valve member to assLune its open position as said strut is subjected to sudden movement in one direction axially thereof, said valve member having `balanced pressure areas acted on at all times by the pressure in said high pressure chamber.

18. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a cylinder adapted to contain hydraulic fluid, a hollow piston carrying a structure reciprocal within said cylinder and defining a high pressure chamber therein at one side of said structure, said piston having an internal low pressure chamber at the other side of such structure, said structure including a head member having a passage connecting said chambers and including a valve member carried by the head member and defining therewith a by-pass chamber connected at all times to the low pressure chamber through a port in one of the members inwardly of said passage, said valve member being movable relative to the head member to open position and being adapted in open position to connect the high pressure ,chamber to the by-pass chamber through another port in one of the members outwardly of said passage, and spring means carried by said structure for urging the valve member to closed position, whereat the last mentioned port is closed with respect to the high pressure chamber, said spring means being formed and arranged to yield due to inertia of the valve member during a sudden movement of the shock absorber axially of the piston and cylinder thereof and of a predetermined magnitude. n

i9. In a shock strut, a bottom follower in the form of a cylinder with a high pressure chamber therein, a top follower in the form of a hollow piston with an internal low pressure chamber, a head on said piston reciprocal within said high pressure chamber and comprising a central passage affording communication between said chambers, a metering pin mounted within said cylinder and adapted for reciprocation within said passage to define a restricted orice therewith, passage means through the head adapted to afford communication between said chambers independently of said orice, and inertia valve means carried by said head and including a valve member adapted in the closed position thereof to close said passage means, and spring means reacting against said head and against a downwardly facing surface on said member for urging the latter to the closed position thereof, said spring means being adapted to yield and thereby permit said member to assume its open position as said strut is subjected to a sudden upward movement of predetermined magnitude, said valve member having balanced pressure areas acted on at all times by the pressure in said high pressure chamber whereby, opening and closing of said valve member is entirely independent of the pressure in the high pressure chamber.

20. In an oleo strut, a bottom follower in the form of a cylinder comprising a high pressure chamber, a metering pin carried by said cylinder within said chamber, a top follower in the form of a piston with a head reciprocal in said cylinder and dening the top of said chamber and the bottom of a low pressure chamber, a passage through said head affording fluid communication between said chambers, said pin being reciprocal within said opening and dening therewith a metering orifice, a by-pass passage through said piston above said orifice, an inertia valve member engageable with said piston along a surface thereof extending substantially parallel with the axis of said strut to close said by-pass passage, and spring means for urging said member to its closed position, said spring means being adapted to yield,

thereby accommodating movement of said member to its open position as said strut is subjected to sudden upward movement.

FRED E. BACHMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number Whistler Sept. 21, 1943 

